Christmas Secrets in Snowflake Cove – Emily Harvale

Christmas is a time for family and friends, miracles and magic, falling snow and roaring fires, fun, laughter and festive feasts. In Snowflake Cove, it’s also a time for secrets to be revealed…

Evie Starr is hoping for more than a sprinkling of magic this Christmas. The family-run Snowflake Inn is virtually empty and the Starr’s financial future isn’t looking bright. But Evie’s gran, Jessie has a secret that might help.

Enigmatic, Zachary Thorn is every woman’s dream. He’s also ex-SAS, so his secrets are classified. The Christmas Special of his feel-good, TV show is set in Michaelmas Bay – until a phone call means he’s spending Christmas in nearby Snowflake Cove.

Evie’s best friend, Juniper thinks boyfriend Darren has a secret. Evie knows he does. And Evie’s niece, Raven is hiding feelings for Juniper’s brother – who has a secret crush of his own.

But the biggest secret in Snowflake Cove is the identity of Raven’s dad.

With snow falling thick and fast and secrets being revealed one after another, will everyone be snuggling up by the fire on Christmas Eve, or are some secrets best kept hidden…?

Here’s an extract from Christmas Secrets in Snowflake Cove. To give you an idea of what’s going on, Evie Starr’s 15-year-old niece, Raven has a secret crush on Roland, the 17-year-old brother of Evie’s best friend. Raven has just taken coffee to Roland and her Grandpa who are fixing the front door knob. Enjoy the extract.

Raven came charging into the bar like a black rhino. A thin black rhino.

‘Well, thank you very much!’ she hissed. ‘You could’ve told me I had flour all over my face. And not just a raisin but also a cherry in my hair. Now he thinks I’m a complete halfwit. And who the hell is Carmen Miranda? Grandpa said that’s what you’ll all call me from now on. I don’t care if I’m only fifteen. I want a beer and don’t you dare tell me I can’t have one.’

Evie held up her hands. ‘Hey! … Carmen.’ She couldn’t help herself. It was quite funny, after all. Even Juniper was fighting a grin. ‘Firstly, you didn’t have anything in your hair or on your face when I left the kitchen, so don’t shout at me. You must have done that afterwards. Carmen Miranda is – or was – a singer, I think. Or a dancer. Or both. Anyway, she was famous for wearing fruit on her head. Or hats covered in fruit, or something. And if you want a beer, have a beer. But only a half. Not a pint. What did Roland say then?’

Raven glowered at her. ‘Nothing. He just looked at me like he wasn’t sure what the hell I was. Then Grandpa took the cherry out of my hair and ate it. Actually ate it! He’s disgusting. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me.’

‘But instead you came charging in here. Don’t you think you could have … oh I don’t know … laughed it off or something?’

Raven’s eyes were like pools of burning tar. ‘Laugh it off? Are you mad? There is nothing funny about having fruit in your hair, flour on your face and being part of a family of lunatics. Believe me. Nothing funny at all. I’m calling mum and insisting she lets me go home. I’ve had about as much of this place as I can stand.’ She grabbed a bottle of lager and ran along the hall to the flight of stairs leading to her room.

‘Oh dear,’ Juniper said. ‘And I think I’ve got problems.’

Having lived and worked in London for several years, Emily returned to her home town of Hastings where she now spends her days writing… and chatting on social media. Emily is a Member of the SoA, a PAN member of the RWA and a Pro Member of ALLi. She’s an Amazon bestseller and a Kindle All Star. Emily loves writing and her stories are sure to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart. Emily says, “I write about friendship, family and falling in love. I believe in happing endings.” When she isn’t writing, she can be found enjoying the stunning East Sussex coast and countryside, or in a wine bar with friends, discussing life, love and the latest TV shows. Chocolate cake is often eaten. She dislikes housework almost as much as she dislikes anchovies – and will do anything to avoid both.